Crime & Safety
Moped Rider Arrested With Loaded Gun In Downtown Crossing
A loaded weapon in one of the city's busiest spots could be dangerous.
BOSTON, MA — A man is facing multiple firearm charges after Boston Police recovered a loaded gun with 34 rounds of ammunition Thursday night during a traffic stop in Downtown Crossing.
Raequan Patterson, 29, of Roxbury, was arrested at approximately 8:49 p.m. after officers saw a red moped traveling on Washington Street from Bromfield Street toward Summer Street, a one-way street and designated pedestrian-only area. Police also saw two people riding the moped without helmets.
Officers initiated a traffic stop near Washington and Summer streets and asked Patterson, who was operating the moped, for his license and registration. Patterson reportedly provided only a temporary Massachusetts identification card and a bill of sale.
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Officers asked Patterson to get off the moped and conducted a pat-frisk. When police attempted to frisk a satchel Patterson was wearing, he allegedly stepped away from officers before they regained control of him and felt an L-shaped object inside the bag.
Police reportedly recovered a black firearm equipped with an extended magazine from the satchel. Detectives determined the firearm had a Polymer80 PF940C lower receiver with no serial number and a slide of an unknown make or model. The gun was loaded with 34 rounds of 9mm ammunition, including one round in the chamber.
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Patterson is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a large-capacity firearm, and possession of a covert or undetectable firearm.
Patterson was also issued citations for operating a motor vehicle in an area closed to travel and improper operation of a motor vehicle.
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